Acting President believes in further strengthening of relations between Lithuania and Ukraine

2004.04.20

PRESS RELEASE

Kiev, April 19th. During a three-day visit to Kiev, the acting President of the Republic of Lithuania met Chairman Vladimir Litvinov of the Supreme Rada of Ukraine.

During the meeting with the Chairman of the Supreme Rada of Ukraine, the discussion focused on the issues relating to the bilateral political, economic and cultural relations and integration into the European Union and NATO. Also, the participants of the meeting exchanged views on the development of bilateral co-operation after Lithuania becomes a full member of the Euro-Atlantic institutions.

Acting President Arturas Paulauskas underlined that Ukraine is a strategic partner of Lithuania and expressed belief that Lithuanias accession to the European Union and NATO will give a new impetus for the development of bilateral relations and will add to their value.

He further underlined that Lithuania will continue to support the aspiration of Ukraine to integrate into the European Union and strengthening of its special partnership with NATO. Acting President Arturas Paulauskas assured Ukraine of Lithuanias position to act as a reliable partner of Ukraine in these areas.

Our position is clear: the EU door should remain open to Ukraine. Lithuania is ready to assist Ukraine in its endeavour to forge closer relations with this European organization, Arturas Paulauskas said.

According to the Chairman of the Supreme Rada, Lithuania and Ukraine share a similar historical development and common goals. He stressed the need to enhance co-operation between Lithuania and Ukraine, noting in particular the significance of regional co-operation. He further expressed hope that in the future the relations between the two states will get closer and the bilateral relations will acquire new forms of co-operation.

Acting President Arturas Paulauskas emphasized that the agreement between the governments of both states on co-operation in the field of tourism, as well as the co-operation agreement between Alytus County, Lithuania, and Zhitomir region, Ukraine, which are to be signed during his visit, will add to the success of the development of the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The mentioned agreements will be signed tomorrow, on the third day of the visit of acting President Arturas Paulaska to Kiev.

The acting President of Lithuania discussed the with Ukraines Minister of Economy and European Affairs and former Ambassador Nikolay Derkach of Ukraine to Lithuania issues of Euro-Atlantic integration and bilateral relations.

The acting President of Lithuania will also visit the National Petchiora Historical and Cultural Park in Kiev and Mychailivskij Monastery.

On April 20th, the acting President of Lithuania will have meetings with President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine, Prime Minister Viktor Janukovitch as well as Ukrainian members of the Lithuanian-Ukrainian Parliamentary Assembly and the leaders of the opposition in the Supreme Rada, Viktor Jushtchenko and Boris Tarasiuk.

In the evening of the same day, the acting President of Lithuania will return to Vilnius.

Press Service of the President

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